Egotism and Vanity

Mother Kali’s Feet

Brahman alone is addressed as the Mother. This is because a mother is an object of great love.  One is able to realize God just through love. 
Ecstasy of feeling, devotion, love, and faith - these are the means. Listen to a song:  
  As is a man's meditation, so is his 
                                                                                feeling of love;  
                               As is a man's feeling of love, so is his gain;  
                               And faith is the root of all.   
                               If in the Nectar Lake of Mother Ka1i's feet  
                               My mind remains immersed,  
                                Of little use are worship, oblations, 
                                                                                or sacrifice.  

                        - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 108 

                           (August 5, 1882)

Ocean of Immortality

Ecstasy, Love and Devotion

The means of realizing God are ecstasy of love and devotion -
 that is, one must love God. 
He who is Brahman is addressed as the Mother. 
               He it is, says Ramprasad, that I approach 
                                                                                 as Mother; 
               But must I give away the secret, here in 
                                                                             the market-place?  
               From the hints I have given, O mind, 
                                                             guess what that Being is!  

Ramprasad asks the mind only to guess the nature of God. He wishes it to understand that what is called Brahman in the Vedas is addressed by him as the Mother. 
He who is attributeless also has attributes. He who is Brahman is also Śakti. When thought of as inactive, He is called Brahman, and when thought of as the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer, He is called the Primordial Energy, Kāli.  

                        - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 107 

                             (August 5, 1882) 

God Does All

Power of Faith

One must have faith and love. Let me tell you how powerful faith is. 

A man was about to cross the sea from Ceylon to India. Bibhishana said to him: 'Tie this thing in a corner of your wearing-cloth, and you will cross the sea safely. You will be able to walk on the water. But be sure not to examine it, or you will sink.' 
The man was walking easily on the water of the sea - such is the strength of faith - when, having gone part of the way, he thought, 'What is this wonderful thing Bibhishana has given me that I can walk even on the water?' He untied the knot and found only a leaf with the name of Rama written on it. 'Oh, just this!' he thought, and instantly he sank. 

There is a popular saying that Hanuman jumped over the sea through his faith in Rama's name, but Rama himself had to build a bridge.  

                        - Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 106-07 

                            (August 5, 1882) 

When God Laughs